moderate

[mod-er-it, mod-rit, mod-uh-reyt]

adjective

1. kept or keeping within reasonable or proper limits; not extreme, excessive, or intense.

   a moderate price.

   Synonyms: calm, steady, cool, just, judicious, temperate, reasonable

2. of medium quantity, extent, or amount.

   a moderate income.

   Synonyms: average

3. mediocre or fair.

   moderate talent.

4. calm or mild, as of the weather.

5. of or relating to moderates, as in politics or religion.

   Antonyms: radical

noun

1. a person who is moderate in opinion or opposed to extreme views and actions, especially in politics or religion.

   Antonyms: radical

2. (usually initial capital letter),  a member of a political party advocating moderate reform.

verb (used with object)

moderated, moderating 

1. to reduce the excessiveness of; make less violent, severe, intense, or rigorous.

   to moderate the sharpness of one's words.

   Synonyms: diminish, lessen, abate, appease, qualify, temper, mollify, soften, mitigate, calm, pacify, ameliorate

2. to preside over or at (a public forum, meeting, discussion, etc.).

verb (used without object)

moderated, moderating 

1. to become less violent, severe, intense, or rigorous.

2. to act as moderator; preside.

moderate

adjective

1. not extreme or excessive; within due or reasonable limits

   moderate demands

2. not violent; mild or temperate

3. of average quality or extent

   moderate success

noun

1. a person who holds moderate views, esp in politics

verb

1. to become or cause to become less extreme or violent

2. to preside over a meeting, discussion, etc

3. to act as an external moderator of the overall standards and marks for (some types of educational assessment)

4. physics to slow down (neutrons), esp by using a moderator

5. (tr) to monitor (the conversations in an on-line chatroom) for bad language, inappropriate content, etc

Other Word Forms

• moderately adverb
• moderateness noun
• moderatism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of moderate¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English moderate (adjective) moderaten (verb), from Latin moderātus (past participle of moderārī “to mitigate, restrain, control”), equivalent to moderā- verb stem ( modest ) + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of moderate¹

C14: from Latin moderātus observing moderation, from moderārī to restrain

Synonym Study

Moderate, temperate, judicious, reasonable all stress the avoidance of excess—emotional, physical, intellectual, or otherwise. Moderate implies response or behavior that is by nature not excessive: a moderate drinker, a moderate amount of assistance. Temperate, interchangeable with moderate in some general uses, usually stresses the idea of caution, control, or self-restraint: a surprisingly temperate response to the angry challenge. Judicious emphasizes prudence and the exercise of careful judgment: a judicious balance between freedom and restraint; judicious care to offend neither side. Reasonable suggests the imposition or adoption of limits derived from the application of reason or good sense: a reasonable price; a reasonable amount of damages allotted to each claimant. See allay.

Example Sentences

But she told Fox News in early 2024 that her view of the president had moderated since, as she approved of his handling of Israel and the economy during his first term.

From Los Angeles Times

It was argued by his opponents that this might alienate the more moderate, former Conservative party voters who had turned to the party over issues like protecting green spaces from housebuilding.

From BBC

“I’d invite Chuck Schumer to join the moderate Democrats and 52 Senate Republicans. Do the right thing, open up the People’s Government, and then let’s fix healthcare policy for the American people,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

In Wednesday's report, the steering group panel identified two women as suffering "severe physical harm", with three sustaining "moderate physical harm" under Mr Hay's care.

From BBC

A couple and their child suffering from moderate hypothermia were rushed to a hospital in Boulogne, she added.

From BBC

Related Words

• abate 
• alleviate 
• constrain 
• cool 
• curb 
• decrease 
• die down 
• diminish 
• lessen 
• mitigate 
• modify 
• reduce 
• slacken 
• slow 
• soften 
• subdue 
• subside 
• temper 
• tone down 
• wane